Hold a baby.

I have always loved holding babies. There is something magical about it.

But the feeling of holding my own tiny daughter can't be beat!

Project Happiness: Exercise.

{This is the guy who Pilates is named after!}

Yesterday, I went to my weekly Pilates class at the gym — I'm working on getting some post-pregnancy abdominal muscles back! Becoming a Pilates teacher was recently added to my to-do someday list.

Tomorrow, I'll be going to my favorite Saturday spin class. I swear it was way easier when I was nine months pregnant. It kicks my butt more than ever now — probably because of the tiredness factor. Oh well. No pain, no gain!

Crikey.

Yesterday was Australia Day. 
And since I'm "half Australian" (as Clay says), we celebrated. The celebration involved:

 

{Dressing in green and "gold"}

{A noble attempt at cutting a pizza into the shape of Australia}

{Watching the movie "Australia"}

{Making my favorite Australian treat — Coconut Ice}

And talking in Australian accents (Clay is surprisingly awesome at it.)

You rock my world, Australia. Happy Birthday.

If you haven't heard about Project Happiness, click here!

Curl up with a good book.

That's what I did today for Project Happiness. 

Anyone read "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss?

I've heard it's awesome — and I thought it would be a perfect read with Valentine's Day coming up.

I'm looking for more books to add to my "to read" list. Please tell me your favorites!

Hallelujah!

Guess who decided to sleep for six hours straight last night?

After two months of only getting only one and a half to three hours of sleep at a time, I couldn't be happier. No, really. I am ecstatic.

You parents out there know of this euphoric feeling, yes?

To celebrate, we are going to do something fun tonight as a family, as part of my Project Happiness. I'll post about it tomorrow.

Click here to see my cute friend's blog and learn what Project Happiness is all about.

you won't regret it —  promise!

{P.S. Don't you love this bed hair?}

What's that?

You say you want me to inundate my blog with more pictures of Ellie belly?

I guess I can arrange that ...

{Bath time}

{Ellie with her cousin Kate and rival in thigh rolls}

{El & dad - check out her little pose!}

{She looks like a little homie in her Puma suit!}

{Mom & El}

{The midwife who delivered Ellie, Abby, is expecting her first girl next month. She's going to name her Ellie too! But hers is short for Elouise. This lady is amazing.}

Sister, Sister!

Words commonly used to describe this sister include favorite, peacemaker and perfect. This girl is amazing. I mean, she flew out to my wedding when she was nine months pregnant, went home to graduate with her MBA from the prestigious Thunderbird University, (she was on scholarship, mind you) and had her first baby a couple days later. Here she is, ladies and gents ...

{Jenifer Michelle Child}

Quick intro of hubby and kids: Mike the rock star, linguist, closet chick flick lover, man of my dreams. Tanner the train loving, protein shake drinking, Chicagoan accent speaking, puzzle genius (and best big brother in the world!). Kate the queen of fat rolls, lover of spoons, and Tanner's biggest fan!

Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice. May sound cliche, but it's really a masterpiece!

Least favorite color: Puke green. maybe because of the word puke.

Favorite food: Scrambled eggs with melted cottage cheese and Pico De Gallo.

My passions: empowering people specifically through: 1) microfinance/international development 2) dancing 3) teaching my kids to read

Quirk(s): I have an insane, slightly ocd bedtime routine including two stops to the bathroom

pet peeve: white lies, smiling on the outside when you're really cringing on the inside

If I were an animal, I'd choose to be a: Flying squirrel

People have told me I look like: My husband (no really. one of my friends in Brazil asked if she could date him because she thought he was my brother.), Kimmie (I wish!), and Brittney Spears (I just ran into someone who was in the MTC with me and still remembered me as "Sister Spears". I know- sick.)

Favorite vacation memory: Holding Mikey's head as he slept on a bus while we were dating and were trapped on a bus in Brazil for hhhourrrs

Historical person I'd love to meet: Amelia earheart?

Ambitions for the next few years: Start a foundation involving "JJSDF sSDLK's" {Jen - is this a typo due to one of your kiddies? maybe you can clarify in a comment :) } strategy for ending poverty, getting to know my camera on a deeper level, reading like six million books :), having more babies, learning to play the piano along with Tanner

One thing I regret: Not asking for help when i had my first baby so i could take a nap- i'm still recovering :)

Favorite quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi

Favorite thing in my closet: Ugg boots. Yummy.

Coolest achievement in the last 5 years: Teaching Tanner his abc's. really. it's not that easy to get a two year old to sit still :), getting my MBA, snatching Mike off the market

Hardest thing I've ever done: getting Tanner to sleep through the night (it only took three years :))